I do prefer to speak of & share about positive role models both here on Facebook and directly with folks, and yet I continue to maintain that it is almost as important for us to learn to see the “mean” & the “crazy” & the “annoying” & even the “bad” or “evil” people in our lives as valuable teachers as well … For while the former re-mind us of The Way of selfless Love, the latter re-mind us of the un-Way of selfish fear. While the former in-Courage us to openly Care for others, the latter rem-mind us not to gossip about or denigrate or shun or even attack our enemies. While the former inspire us to reach out and sacrifice for those around us, the latter re-mind us to not protect ourselves or “love ourselves first” or “establish healthy boundaries” … In essence, the former show us what to do, while the latter show us what not to.

And so, to honor the man who originally led me to this priceless concept and most potent “Life-Hack”, I now pay humble tribute to this series’ 3rd & final “Un-Guide”: Rush Limbaugh.

Indeed, this entire “use your enemies as Un-Guides” concept was born one day long ago when, after listening to yet another pseudo-racist & highly inflammatory tirade from Limbaugh, I turned to a good friend who had been listening along and noted — with no small amount of fervor, if I remember correctly — that the easiest way for anyone to find objective Truth in life was to listen to Rush Limbaugh and then believe or do the exact opposite of whatever he happened to say.

While humorous now as an afterthought, I did start to test this theory on a number of similarly acerbic, bigoted &/or judgmental Un-Guides in my life — a test which met with an astounding amount of success, and a test which led me to eventually finding (& cherishing) the two private “False Prophets” who still regularly grace my life with their presence — and guide me with their “un-wisdom” — to this very day.

And that is how this juicy Life-Tip came to be shared with you all … So without further ado, I give you a small sample of a “False Prophet” for all ages and all the ages — Rush Limbaugh.

Please consider …

*Where Rush says “If you feed the children three square meals a day during the school year, how can you expect them to feed themselves in the summer? Wanton little waifs and serfs dependent on the State” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, December 2011), we respond by going forth into our communities to feed the hungry.

*Where Rush says “Feminism was established to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, August 2005), we respond by going forth into our communities to be especially kind to the strangers our egos incorrectly judge to be “ugly” or “scary” or “plain” or “unattractive”.

*Where Rush says of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill: “The ocean will take care of this on its own … It’s natural. It’s as natural as the ocean water is” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, May 2010), we respond by remembering that it is never too late to Care for the Earth we are still so callously destroying — that it is never too late to recycle, or bike to work, or save water, or go vegan, or champion alternative energy sources instead of using fossil fuels.

*Where Rush says of women protesting sexual harassment: “They’re out there protesting what they actually wish would happen to them sometimes” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, April 2004), we respond by being extra Respect-full to the women in our lives; by being extra tender with our partners regardless of their gender; indeed, by boldly standing up for all those we see being bullied in any way, shape or form — be it at work, at school, at church, or even at home.

*Where Rush says “Let the unskilled jobs that take absolutely no knowledge whatsoever to do — let stupid and unskilled Mexicans do that work” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, Fall of 1993), we respond by extending an open & heartfelt gratitude for ALL the immigrants in our communities (legal & illegal alike); realizing that without their incredible work ethic & indomitable courage & humble dedication, our communities — indeed, our entire countries — would not know even half the success & prosperity they know today.

*When Rush says “Have you ever noticed how all the composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, early 1990’s — admitted to by Limbaugh in Newsday magazine in 1990), we respond by flagrantly refusing to profile or stereotype the strangers we meet in any way; indeed, by even going out of our way to approach those people of other color &/or other status &/or other nationality and — instead of serving up fear or insult — offering them a kindness or a compliment or a helping hand instead.

*And when Rush says “I mean if we want to get serious about this, if we want to face this head on, we’re gonna have to openly admit, liberals should not be allowed to buy guns, nor should they be allowed to use computer keyboards or typewriters, word processors or e-mails, and they should have their speech controlled. If we did those three or four things, I can’t tell you what a sane, calm, civil, fun-loving society we would have … You would wipe out 90% of the crime, 85 to 95% of the hate, and a hundred percent of the lies from society” (The Rush Limbaugh Show, January 2011), we respond first with a chuckle at the irony of Rush Limbaugh making such a statement — a statement far more applicable to himself than almost anyone else in the public arena, and then by going forth to keep using those keyboards, to keep using those typewriters, and to keep using those word processors; to keep sending those emails, and to keep making those Facebook posts, and to keep giving those speeches — to relentlessly continue to utilize every channel available to champion Respect over bigotry; to champion Courage over apathy, to champion Harmony over divisiveness, and to champion Love over fear.

Amen … Let it be so.

 

Filed under: Outing the Oligarchy by Scaughdt